The ISIS group claimed responsibility for the attack in Moscow that resulted in the death of more than 62 people and left 146 wounded following a shooting that triggered a massive fire at a concert hall on the outskirts of the Russian capital on Friday night. An American official stated that the U.S. has information confirming ISIS-Khorasan's claim regarding the shooting incident at a concert near Moscow. Meanwhile, Russian media reported a spokesperson from the Moscow Investigative Committee saying it is too early to discuss the fate of the attackers.
What is ISIS-Khorasan?
ISIS-Khorasan, known as (ISIS-K), is a branch of the terrorist organization that first emerged in Syria and Iraq. While its members share its ideology and tactics, the name "Khorasan" refers to the region that includes Afghanistan and Pakistan. ISIS-Khorasan was established in 2015 by disgruntled members of the Taliban. The group saw its number of fighters decrease by nearly half, to around 2,000 fighters, by 2021 due to a combination of U.S. airstrikes and Afghan commandos that killed many of its leaders, according to The New York Times. The group gained notoriety shortly after the Taliban overthrew the Afghan government in 2021. During the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, the organization conducted a suicide bombing at Kabul International Airport in August 2021, killing 13 American soldiers and up to 170 civilians. This attack elevated the group's status, making it a significant threat to the Taliban's ability to govern Afghanistan. Since then, the Taliban has been fiercely battling ISIS-Khorasan in Afghanistan.
In a post on its official Telegram account last January, ISIS-Khorasan claimed responsibility for an attack that killed 84 people in Kerman, Iran, during a memorial procession for Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in 2020. The group has threatened Iran multiple times and claimed responsibility for several attacks there.
Why Does ISIS-Khorasan Seek to Attack Russia?
Colin P. Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst at the Soufan Group, a New York-based security consulting firm, stated, "ISIS-Khorasan has focused its attention on Russia over the past two years, frequently criticizing President Vladimir Putin in its propaganda for his interventions in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Syria." The attack indicates a notable escalation in ISIS-Khorasan's operations, reinforcing the group's hostility towards Russia and President Putin. One reason for ISIS-Khorasan targeting Russia is tied to President Putin's military interventions in the Middle East, particularly in Syria. Putin sent Russian troops to Syria to support President Bashar al-Assad's regime with a clear goal of fighting ISIS and other extremist groups. This move, aimed at maintaining Assad's grip on power and asserting Russian influence in the region, directly opposed ISIS's objectives and territories. Thus, this involvement against ISIS in Syria may have contributed to motivating ISIS-Khorasan to target Russia, viewing it as a direct adversary due to its actions in the Middle East.
Additionally, ISIS-Khorasan includes fighters from Central Asia, who harbored historical grievances against Russia, fueling the group's motivations to carry out such attacks on Russian soil. Michael Kugelman from the Wilson Center based in Washington stated that ISIS-Khorasan "views Russia as complicit in activities that continuously oppress Muslims."
What Attacks Has the Group Executed?
ISIS-Khorasan has a history of attacks, including those targeting mosques inside and outside Afghanistan. Earlier this year, the U.S. intercepted communications confirming that the organization carried out bombings in Iran that resulted in the deaths of nearly 100 people. In September 2022, the group's fighters claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that caused casualties at the Russian embassy in Kabul. The organization was also responsible for an attack on Kabul International Airport in 2021, which resulted in the deaths of 13 American soldiers and dozens of civilians during the chaotic U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan. Earlier this month, the top U.S. general in the Middle East stated that ISIS-Khorasan could target American and Western interests outside Afghanistan "within less than six months and without warning."
